A recent incident at AngloGold Ashanti, which resulted in the loss of seven lives, has brought the responsibilities of Ghana’s media into sharp focus. The reported incitement by Captain Smart, a presenter on Onua TV, has raised critical questions about media ethics, accountability, and the role of Media General, Onua TV’s parent company.
The power of the media to shape societies is undeniable, but history reminds us of the catastrophic consequences of irresponsible media conduct. The 1994 Rwandan Genocide, fueled partly by hate speech and incitements to violence broadcast by Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), is a stark reminder of the potential dangers of unchecked media power.
In Ghana, the media plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse, but the potential for media irresponsibility to destabilize the peace cannot be underestimated. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of truth, accuracy, and fairness in reporting, while warning against publications or broadcasts that promote hate speech, discrimination, or incitement to violence.
The National Media Commission (NMC) is tasked with ensuring high journalistic standards and protecting media freedom in Ghana. However, the AngloGold Ashanti tragedy underscores the urgent need for the NMC to exercise its regulatory authority more effectively to prevent such incidents.
Media General, the parent company of Onua TV, must confront its share of responsibility in the tragic incident. Providing a platform for inflammatory rhetoric undermines public trust and destabilizes the social order. To reclaim moral authority, Media General must publicly acknowledge its failings, institute internal reforms, and demonstrate a commitment to ethical journalism.
The way forward for Ghana’s media landscape is clear: strengthening media ethics education, active oversight by the NMC, encouraging public accountability, and legislative backing for media regulation. By adhering to ethical principles and regulatory oversight, Ghana’s media can remain a pillar of democracy, rather than a threat to its stability.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
